THE DETAILS THAT MATTER
When the contract calls for higher limits.
Identify the underlying general liability, auto and employers liability policies to be scheduled.
Compare attachment points, exclusions, follow-form language and any minimum underlying limits.
Review project-specific aggregate requirements and whether additional insured protection extends into the excess layer.
Read the coverage boundaries.
Umbrella and excess are not identical. An excess policy does not automatically fill gaps in the underlying policy, and excluded operations may remain excluded.
A common question
Usually, you should not assume it does. Review the excess form and its relationship to the underlying coverage; a larger limit alone does not correct an exclusion.
Jesse Denno · CA insurance license #4503208 · Updated October 10, 2026